listen

it's been a while since i've added to my "so true" collection of art cards.  i really enjoy working in this 2.5 x 3.5" format and i think it's because my style is more "keep it simple" (although sometimes i think it keep it too simple, but that's an entirely different blog post).  anyway, i chose to add this to my series because it occurs to me from time to time that i don't do nearly enough listening. i recently read that it's easy to confuse listening with just waiting for your turn to talk.  and, oh yes, i definitely have the talking part mastered.  it's the being still and the listening that i'm still working on....especially to my heart.

book dots

today i'm going to the quilt show with my friend eva, but before if go, here's a quick peek at a book that i made using multi-colored dots on black fabric.  i printed one of my ACEOs onto canvas and then machine stitched it to the front cover.  the inside covers are lined with moss green canson paper and the writing pages are torn from italian velata.  i hope i find some really great fabrics today...i'm always in the mood for adding to my collection!

still so true

as i was reading scripture the other day, the words "believe" and "trust" came up in several different passages.  i think that in order to come to the point of believing or trusting, you first have to be seeking.  so...here is the latest in my "so true" series.  as with the others, i lettered this on a piece of canson paper using dr. martin's bleedproof.  i stitched the two open hearts onto the piece using embroidery floss.  creating artwork on these 2.5 x 3.5" pieces of paper forces you to keep it simple...it's challenging, but i'm enjoying it!

believe

here is another addition to my "so true" series...and i think that it really is so true!  this piece of art measures 2.5 x 3.5", the standard size for an ACEO (art cards, edition and originals).   the lettering was done using dr. martin's bleedproof onto blue canson paper.  to finish the piece, i stitched an open heart that was punched from a piece of decorative card stock that i had.  i'm really enjoying working on these small pieces and have several ideas for making more of them.  this photo shows the artwork framed, however, tomorrow i think i'll try using it another way...details at eleven.

bug in a rug

i have memories of my mom saying this to us when my brothers and i were growing up.  so, i figure if my mom said it, it surely falls into the "so true" category...which makes this the second in my new series.  i was curious to see what it would look like framed, and, unfortunately, i didn't have the correct size frame.  my preference for this piece would be a black frame and i'm sure that we must own a 5x7 black frame, but i don't know where it's hiding.  these small 2.5 x 3.5" pieces of art are fun to do, but i'm learning that simplicity is definitely the key!

live, laugh, love...repeat

this is the first in my new series, "so true".  all of the artwork in this series will measure the ACEO size of 2.5 x 3.5" and focus on a short quote, quip or truism.  this piece was written on canson paper using dr. martin's bleedproof white (which is like gouache and used by photographers and graphic designers to do touch-ups).  while i like to work on a smaller scale, i think that this will prove to be a fun challenge!   we'll see how it goes!

 

love grows here

here is another ACEO (art cards, editions and originals) that i worked on this afternoon.  i'm still enjoying working on these happy pollyanna flowers, but i've noticed the past few days that i've had a nasty little itch to get back to bookmaking, which has been a passion of mine for a long time.  if you have some time to browse on etsy, there are some beautiful handmade books offered by talented artisans at a very reasonable price.  anyway, i think that pollyanna likes to read, so maybe i can come up with a way incorporate her garden with my books!  i'll have to think on that...

oh happy day

after all of this moving and getting settled in, it felt good to hold a watercolor pencil in my hand and do something creative.  today i decided to do a small original, an ACEO (art cards, editions and originals).  these pieces measure 2.5" x 3.5" and are highly collectible by many artists. i've certainly done better lettering in the past, so it just goes to show how important daily practice is!  of course, this piece is meant to be whimsical and a little off-beat, so i guess it turned out just the way it was supposed to turn out.  so, good ol' pollyanna strikes again, just when i needed her...makes me kinda glad, you know?